New Yorkers elected Zohran Mamdani, a left-wing Democrat and frequent target of Donald Trump’s fury, to be the city’s next Mayor.
The result is likely to infuriate the US President, who has branded Mamdani a “communist”. Trump had repeatedly threatened to cut off funding to America’s biggest city if Mamdani was elected.
Mamdani, who will be the city’s first Muslim mayor, was up against former Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo – standing as an independent after Mamdani defeated him in the Democrat primary election.
Despite a Repubican, Curtis Sliwa, standing in the race, Trump had urged Republicans to back Cuomo to stop a Mamdani victory.
Zohran Mamdani, 34 – the youngest New York mayor in more than a century – harnessed enthusiasm, optimism and social media savvy to become a rising star in the contest.
Cuomo, on the other hand, struggled to get ahead of his past. He was ousted as Governor in the wake of #MeToo, after being accused of sexual harassment by multiple women.
New York City voters were worried about the cost of living and housing
Most voters in New York City were stressed about the cost of living — and in particular, the cost of housing, according to a poll by the Associated Press.
About 6 in 10 New York City voters said the cost of living was the most important issue facing their city. About one-quarter said crime was the main problem, and about 1 in 10 said this about immigration. Less than 1 in 10 pointed to health care or transportation.
About 7 in 10 voters said the cost of housing where they live was “a major problem,” with renters being especially likely to point to this as an issue. Fewer voters called crime “a major problem” in the city.